New Castlevania: I might be getting my wish! finally!

[Julius Seeker]

http://ds.ign.com/articles/702/702670p1.html

I'm not ready to yet jump to conclusions, but by the description it looks like this Castlevania might actually not be just another Metroidvania title. Though it is difficult to say. I would love to see a return to the non-level up, perfectly well balanced, platformer/adventure type genre that Castlevania was made famous with during the golden age of the series. I really disliked the newer ones where all you had to do was level up by killing shitloads of enemies, making the game a simplistic mindless task to finish. It doesn't take skill to run back and forth for hours killing enemies to level up so the rest of the game is easy; it takes skill navigating through the levels and avoiding enemies, killing them where you have to, and making your way to the ultimate goal.

I wonder if in this game, since it takes place in World War II, if there will be Nazi Vampires? =)

[Julius Seeker]

Well, some more info on the game.

It does seem to be another Metroidvania title, they have taken a concept similar to Eternal Darkness and Mario 64 in that there is one main castle and various portals leading off to different locations around the world.

For those of you who know about Bloodlines, this game will feature characters from that game.

Lastly, the development team has been expanded from just IGA to include developers from previous Castlevania games.

The game will feature two playable characters throughout, I am unsure at this point as to if there will be co-operative mode or not. Essentially as it seems both characters will be active on the screen at the same time; an example was given how the female character could be casting a spell while the male character is protecting her from attacking monsters.

Here are some screenshots:

http://www.the-magicbox.com/0604/game060423b.shtml

[Eric]

Considering Metroid isn't making 2D Metroids anymore I'm all for Castlevania using the exploration style. I loved Metroid Fusion to death, but Nintendo seems to be moving in that 3D direction. =/

[Julius Seeker]

The older Castlevania games, just in my opinion, have something that the newer ones don't. They are different types of games. I do like the new ones, but I like the old style better =)

The 2D Metroid games have much over the Castlevania games though; most notably, they have much better level design. Next they are much more balanced, Castlevania for some reason seems to find it necessary to put a level up system in, whereas Metroid uses an upgrades system based on how far you have gone in the game (you increase HP by finding energy tanks).

Though with this new portal system, it might be similar to Eternal Darkness in that you go through each level, and there is a beginning and an end to it. With awesome intense battle and platformer sequences all along the way =) So in essense they would be mixing the best of both worlds.